THE HAGUE, Nov. 29 (Xinhuanet) - The European Union (EU) on Mondayurged both the Israel and Palestine to make progress in their peace efforts by grasping "window of opportunity" opened in the Middle East.

    "We hope that we now stand on the brink of a new chapter in Arab-Israeli relations," said Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot, whose country holds the EU rotating presidency and hosts the two-day EU-Mediterranean foreign ministers meeting starting on Monday.

    "Everyone agrees we cannot let this opportunity pass," Bot tolda press conference after separate meetings with his Israeli and Arabic counterparts.

    The window of opportunity has been created by the constructive approach taken by all sides, said the minister, adding that Israelhas shown restraint while Palestinians have shown leadership following the death of President Arafat.

    The EU will support the Palestinian election, which is to be hold early January, both politically and financially, said Bot. Healso urged the Arabic countries to follow the suit and make a contribution to realize progress in this field.

    He believed that the new Palestinian leaders would resume peacetalks with Israeli authorities as early as possible after the election.

    He also said that the Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom had pledged to help the Palestinian election go on smoothly.

    Both Palestine and Israel are the members of a regional forum called "EU-Mediterranean partnership". Foreign ministers from the 25-naiton EU bloc and its Mediterranean neighbors, including Egypt,Turkey and Syria, are meeting here to discuss ways to enhance their political, economic and cultural cooperation. Enditem